Friends of Woking Homes

What we do

The Railway District Committees used to contribute to the funding of Woking Homes. When they declined and were wound down in the early 1990s Friends of Woking Homes (FOWH) was formed in 1993.

The aim of the Friends is to contribute to making the lives of the residents of Woking Homes as enjoyable and as comfortable as possible, by fundraising to provide extras, luxuries and outings, over and above the contracted services provided by the management and staff of the Homes through the fees. Friends also assist with some social activities and days out, provide welfare visiting, gardening and any other support that may contribute to the well-being of the residents. View our Constitution & Rules for more details

Membership is open to residents of Woking Homes, their relatives, staff, trustees, railway employees and former railway employees and anyone who wishes to assist with or support the aims set out above.
Membership only costs £4 p.a. for a single person and £6 for couples.

Fundraising events typically include coffee mornings at Easter and Christmas, an annual garden party or fete, a sponsored walk, raffles, quiz nights, BBQs and the sale of second hand books. These events also provide opportunities for Friends to meet up and socialise and to get to know the residents better. Friends raise between £5000 and £7000 a year for the benefit of residents.

Friends fund professional entertainers throughout the year, and extra at Christmas and New Year, coach outings, boat trips and pub lunches, Christmas presents for every resident, craft materials, gardening equipment and plants, visiting animals and temporary egg hatcheries and much more.

Volunteering opportunities – What else can Friends do?

Thursday evening socials, when Friends and relatives run the bar on a roster basis

Help with games afternoons

Bake cakes for sale at coffee mornings

Donate raffle prizes and sell draw tickets

Visit individual residents to chat

Assist with craft activities and gardening

Wrap Christmas presents

Push wheelchairs on outings

Show visitors round on open days

Take part in emergency evacuation drills, standing in for residents for whom these practice sessions would be too stressful

Donate

Kind Words

Sadly my father has just passed away, both he and my mother were cared for here for the last 4 years. I cannot praise enough the care and support they received, the kindness of the staff towards them and the way that they were treated with dignity. I knew that they were safe at all times and I knew that my parents were happy.